Razor honing apparatus



F. SCHMID July 18, 1939.

RAZOR HONING APPARATUS Filed Oct. 25, 1937 2 Sl'leeS-Sheei*I 1 fllzO/f l FREDERICK Sc Ilya HMID July 18, 1939. F. SCHMID 2,166,773

RAZOR HONING APPARATUS Filed Oct. 25, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 fndefdor FREDERlcH Sommo Patented July 18, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE RAZOR HONING APPARATUS Application October 25, 1937, Serial No. 170,767

4 Claims.

This invention relates to an apparatus for sharpening razor blades and more particularly to an improved construction of a honing mechanism for honing the blade of a razor.

Among the objects of this invention is to provide an apparatus in which the honing stone is manually reciprocable relatively to the razor blade so that as the stone is reciprocated first one side of the blade and then the other is brought into honing Contact therewith, the arrangement being such that as the honing stone reaches the limit of its stroke in either direction the pressure of the blade against the stone is automatically released so as to permit the blade to be swung through an arc of slightly more than degrees.

A further object of the invention is to provide a honing apparatus in which means are included for automatically insuring that thel blade engages the honing surface of the sharpening stone under adequate pressure, said means being of such construction as to exert what may be termed an elastic presstue upon the blade, thereby insuring against the possibility of the blade being forced so tightly against the honing surface of the stone as to cause it to bite into the stone with consequent injurious effects to the cutting edge of the razor blade.

Still another object of the inventionk is to provide in a honing apparatus of the type having a longitudinally reciprocating honing stone means for automatically insuring that the stone is at all times properly leveled with respect to the edge of the blade to besharpened, thereby insuring. that every point along thev blade cutting edge is in honing contact with the honing surface of the sharpening stone.V

A further object of the invention is to provide a simple, inexpensive, efficient and easily operated mechanism for honing razors efficiently and accurately, while still other objects will be apparent more fully hereinafter.

The invention consists substantially in the combination, construction, location and relative arrangement of parts, all as will appeary more fully hereinafter, as shown in the accompanying drawings and as finally pointed out4 in the appended claims. t

In the said drawings:

Figure l is a top plan View of the apparatus constructed in accordance with and embodying the princi-ples of the present invention;

Figure 2 i'sa vertical sectionalv view taken along the line 2--2 oi` Figure 1 and showing alsor in section the lid or cover of the casing in which the apparatus is housed;

Figure 3 is a transverse vertical sectional View o1 the apparatus;

Figures 4 and 5 are cross-sectional views taken 5 along the line 2--2 of Figure 1 but showing the relative positions assumed by the several parts thereof when the honing block is shifted in opposite directions;

Figure 6 is an end View of the reciprocating carriage for the honing block taken along the line ill-6 of Figure l; and

Figure 'Tis an end elevational View showing the mounting for the pinion gear in which the shank of the razor is non-rotatably accommodated and 15 by which the razor blade is swung to present rst one side and then the opposite side thereof in honing contact with the surface of the honing stone.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, it will be observed that the apparatus of the present invention is adapted to be housed in any suitable case or container therefor which in the arrangement shown consists of a box-like base I and a removable cover Il, the latter being, of 25 course, removed in order to permit operation of the apparatus. The honing apparatus itself includes a main base or platform I2 stationarily mounted upon suitable supports provided therefor in the bottom member l0 of the outer casing. 0 Fitted upon this main base or platform I0 in laterally spaced relation are a pair of parallel tracks |3--I3 extending longitudinally of the platform and provided with inwardly presenting channels I4-I4 (see Figure 3) which constitute 35 guides or runways for a sliding carriage I5, this carriage being adapted for reciprocation lengthwise of the platform I2. This reciprocation is preferably effected manually through a handle I6 provided for that purpose at one end of the carriage.

The reciprocating carriage I5 is recessed to accommodate a horizontally disposed honing stone Il, the. upper surface of which is disposed in a substantially horizontal plane. For a pur- 45 pose which will be apparent hereinafter, it will be observed that this honing stone I1 is provided at either end thereof with a short lug I8, these lugs I8 being disposed along the longitudinal center line of tlfe honing block, these pivot lugs |8--I8 being respectively accommodated within suitable fulcrums or bores IBi-Iila therefor respectively provided in opposite ends of the reciprocating carriage. It will be observed further that the honing block is relatively of such size and shape as compared with the recess in the reciprocating carriage in which it is disposed that free space is provided between the bottom surface of the honing block and the bottom of the carriage recess as well as between the corresponding vertical surfaces of the honing block and the carriage. As a consequence of this mounting arrangement of the honing block within its carriage I5, the former is free to be canted with respect to the horizontal to a limited degree, the purpose of which is to accommodate the upper or honing surface of the block to the cutting edge of the blade to the hone so as to insure that all points of the blade cutting edge are in proper contact with the honing surface.

Elie razor blade to be honed is designated by the reference numeral I9. The manner of mounting this blade in operative position above the honing surface of the block is shown most clearly in Figures l and 3 wherein it will appear that the outer end of the blade I9 is provided with a socket or recess 20 for accommodating the pointed end of a bearing pin 2|, While the end of the blade shank 22 is pointed, as at 23, for reception within a socket or recess provided in the inner end of a second bearing pin 22a. These bearing pins 2l and 22a are, of course, in axial alignment and are disposed with their common axis extending laterally across the path of movement of the honing block. It is important to observe in this connection that the said common axis of the bearing pins 2| and 22a for the razor blade are disposed at an elevation only slightly above the upper surface of the honing block so that rotation of the blade about said axis in one direction or another presents the cutting edge of the blade in contact with the stone with the cutting edge thereof only slightly depressed below the base thereof. In other Words, the arrangement is such that when the blade is in honing Contact with the honing stone I1, its angle of inclination with respect to the horizontal is quite small. The bearings pins 2l and 221 are axially adjustable within the supports 24 and 25 respectively provided therefore so as to accommodate blades of varying lengths and to permit of accurate centering of the blade with respect to the honing stone.

In order to effectively hone the razor blade, it is, of course, necessary that the cutting edge of the blade which is to be sharpened should make firm contact with the honing surface of the stone. While the pressure of this contact should be positive at all times, it must not be hard and accordingly the present apparatus includes means for exerting upon the blade a soft or elastic yet sufficiently positive honing pressure to eifect the desired results. As appears most clearly in Figure 3, a laterally extending shaft 26 is oscillatably journalled immediately beneath the main base or platform I2 of the apparatus, this shaft being journalled between suitable bearing members 21 and 28 therefor. Keyed to this shaft 26 is a cani member 29 having a normally upwardly presenting tapered portion 39 (see more particularly Figure 2). This cam member is provided with an oppositely projecting portion 3l which is connected to the stationary bearing member 28 by a straight wire spring 32 normally extending in parallel relation to the shaft 26, the function of this spring 32 being to maintain the cam in the normally centered position "shown in Figure 2.

Also keyed or otherwise xedly secured to the shaft 26 at a point immediately beyond the cam member 29 is a depending lever arm 33 (see Figures 3, 4 and 5) which operates in the manner presently to be described to oscillate in one direction or another the gear 34, depending upon the direction of oscillation of the shaft 26. The oscillation of this shaft 26 in one direction or another is eifected by shifting the carriage for the honing stone, it being observed in this connection that said carriage is provided at one side thereof with a pair of longitudinally spaced openings 35 and 36 into either of which the pointed upper end 39 of the cam member 29 is adapted to be freely projected when the carriage is shifted to the limit of its stroke in either direction. The under surface of the carriage extending intermediately of these longitudinally spaced openings 35 and 36 serves as a cam surface over which the cam member 29 is adapted to ride as the carriage I is shifted in one direction or another. Assuming that the carriage is at its right-hand limit of movement as shown in Figure 2, it will be observed that as the carriage is shifted in the direction of the arrow in Figure 2, that is, toward the left, the pointed upper extremity 30 of the cam member 29 is so engaged by the under surface of the moving carriage as to cause it to be inclined into the position shown in Figure 5, which position the cam member 29 maintains during its entire travel from right to left and until that instant when the opening 36 is positioned above the cam member. Immediately that the said opening 36 is brought into registry with the cam member the latter is forced by the wire spring 32 to assume its neutral position. Conversely, when the carriage is shifted from left to right, the cam member 29 is caused to assume the inclined position shown in Figure 4, which position it maintains throughout the travel of the carriage from left to right and at the conclusion of which it again assumes the neutral position due to the action of the spring 32 thereon.

It will thus be seen that the cam member 29 is the actuating element for effecting oscillation of the shaft 26 in one direction or another depending upon the direction of movement of the carriage. It also will be apparent that the oscillation of the shaft 26 in one direction or another results in a corresponding angular displacement of the lever 33 in one direction or another. This lever 33 coacts with spring-pressed means, most clearly shown in Figures 2, 4 and 5, to impart to the gear 34 an osccillating motion in substantial correspondence with that of the shaft 26.

The gear 34, which is freely mounted upon the shaft 26 for relative rotation With respect thereto, is equipped upon its inner surface with a pair of hinged yoke members 31 and 38, these latter being commonly pivoted to an upper point of the gear, as at 39, and being interconnected at their free lower ends by a coil spring 40. These yoke members 31 and 38 are respectively provided with laterally projecting lugs 4I and 42 adapted to normally engage opposite faces of the depending lever arm 33 when the latter is in the neutral position shown in Figure 2. The gear 34 is further provided with a pair of laterally spaced in- Wardly projecting pins 43-44 which are respectively engaged by the yoke members 31 and 38 when the cam member 29 is in either of its two neutral positions.

ing support 21 Within which one end of the shaft 26 is journalled, although any other suitable arrangement may be provided for rotatably supporting the pinion gear in meshed' engagement with the main gear 34. As appears most clearly in Figures 2 and '1, this hollow pinion gear has a portion of its periphery cut out, as at 46, to provide an opening through which the shank 22 of the razor blade may be inserted, it being noted that the blade shank is so accommodated Within the interior of the pinion gear 45 as not to interfere with free rotation of the latter in one direction or another within its bearing. It will also be understood, of course, that rotation of the main gear 34 in one direction occasions a rotation of the pinion gear in the reverse direction, from which it will appear that as the carriage is shifted in the direction of the arrow of Figure 2, the main gear is caused to rotate in counter-clockwise direction, while the pinion gear 45 and the razor blade accommodated therein is caused to rotate in clockwise direction so as to present the cutting edge ofthe blade in contact with the surface of the honing stone, as shown in Figure 5. Of course, as the carriage is shifted in the opposite direction from that shown in Figure 2, that is, from the left-hand limit of its stroke toward the right,a reverse action takesplace,thecutting edge of the blade being forced against the surface of the stone as shown in Figure 4.

In operation of the mechanism it Will be assumed that the honing stone is at the right-hand limit of its stroke, as shown in Figure 2, with the blade in contact with the stone, as at 41. Asl the carriage is shifted from right to left in the direction of the arrow, the cam member 29 is engaged by the under surface of the carriage and forced into the inclined position of Figure 5 and in so doing causes the shaft 26 and the lever arm 33 to be rotated in counter-clockwise direction. The lever 33 is thus forced against the lug 42 of the yoke member 38 and causes the latter to move outwardly against the restraining force of the coil spring 40, the opposite yoke member being at the same time drawn against the pin 43 which is carried by the main gear 34. Simultaneously as this action takes place, the said gear 34 is caused to rotate in counter-clockwise direction in consequence of which the pinion gear 45 and the razor blade carried thereby are caused to rotate in clockwise direction, the cutting edge of the blade being thereby forced against the upper surface of the honing stone. Because the main gear 34 is loosely mounted upon the shaft 26, any oscillatory movement of the latter is imparted to the gear 34 solely by way of the lever arm 33 acting upon the spring-pressed yoke member 38. The result is that an elastic pressure is exerted upon the blade to force and maintain it in contact with the honing surface of the stone l1. A similar action occurs when the carriage and the stone supported by it are shifted from the lefthand limit of its stroke toward the right except that the lever arm 33 in such case engages the opposite yoke member 31 and tends to force it outwardly against the restraining influence of the spring 40.

This action is probably most clearly shown in Figures 4 and 5, in Figure 4 of which it will appear that as the yoke member 31 is forced in the direction of the small arrow by the action of the lever arm 33 thereon, there is a resultant pull of the spring 4B upon the gear 34 through the action of the yoke member 38 pulling against the pin 44, The greater the thrust of the lever arm 33 against the yoke member 31, the greater will be the resilient pull of the spring 4D upon the gear 34 and accordingly the greater will be the downward pressure exerted by the cutting edge of' the blade against the honing surface of the stone l1. Whereas Figure 4 illustrates the action while the stone is traversing a direction from left to right, Figure 5 illustrates the action when the stone moves in the reverse direction, in which latter case the spring 4U exerts its resilient pull upon the gear through the intermediary of the yoke member 31 pulling against the pin 43.

In order to limit the travel of the reciprocating carriage I5 in either direction, limiting stops are provided. As appears most clearly in Figures l and 2, a pair of limiting stops 48-48, fixed to the main base or platform l2 of the apparatus, are provided for limiting the movement of the carriage toward the left, while a single limiting stop 49, also fixed to the main base or platform of the apparatus, limits the travel of the carriage in right-hand direction.

It will be understood, of course, that the invention is susceptible of Various changes and modifications from time to time without departing from the real spirit or general principles thereof and it is accordingly intended to claim the same broadly, as well as specifically, as indicated by the appended claims.

What is claimed as new and useful is:

1. In a razor honing apparatus, in combination, a stationary base or platform having a pair of laterally spaced, longitudinally extending parallel tracks, a moving carriage tted on said tracks and adapted for reciprocation therealong, a honing stone within said carriage and disposed with its honing surface in a substantially horizontal plane, and means for supporting a razor blade to be honed above said honing surface, said supporting means for the razor blade including a pair of laterally spaced axially aligned bearing pins respectively adapted to engage opposite extremities of the razor blade to support the latter for oscillation about an axis extending transversely across the reciprocating path of movement of the honing block, and means operative automatically upon reciprocation of said carriage to oscillate said blade about said axis to present opposite surfaces of the blade cutting edge in contacting relation to the honing surface.

2. In a razor blade honing apparatus, in combination, a honing block, supporting means for a razor to be honed, means for effecting relative movement between said honing block and the razor to be honed, and means for insuring contact of the cutting edge of the blade against the honing surface of the block during each honing stroke, said last-mentioned means including a cam-actuated shaft, a main gear rotatably journalled on said shaft, a pinion gear driven by said main gear and engaging the shank of the razor blade to rotate the latter in one direction or another depending upon the direction of movement of the honing block relatively to the blade, and resilient means intervening said cam-actuated shaft and said main gear and through which rotation of said shaft in one direction or another is imparted to said main gear, said resilient means serving to impose upon the pinion gear aforesaid a biased torque which is imparted to said razor blade.

3. In a razor blade honing apparatus, in combination, a honing block, supporting means for a razor to be honed, means for eiecting relative movement between said honing block and the razor to be honed, means for insuring contact of the cutting edge of the blade against the honing surface of the block during each honing stroke, said means including an oscillatable shaft extending transversely of the honing block, a cam member xed on said shaft and engageable by said block to rotate said shaft in one direction or another depending on the direction of movement of said block, a main gear rotatably journalled on said shaft, a pinion gear driven by said main gear and engaging the shank of the razor blade to be honed, and resilient means intervening said cam-actuated shaft and said main gear, said last-mentioned means including a split yoke composed of a pair of relatively movable members pivotally secured to one side of the main gear with the free ends of said members interconnected by a coil spring, and coacting means on said yoke members and said main gear for imparting a spring-biased torque to the main gear through the action of said cam-actuated shaft upon one or the other of said yoke members.

4. In a razor blade honing apparatus, in cornbination, a honing block, supporting means for a razor to be honed, means for effecting relative movement between said honing block and the ra- Zor to be honed, means for insuring contact of the cutting edge of the blade against the honing surface of the block during each honing stroke, said means including an oscillatable shaft extending transversely of the honing block, a cam member fixed on said shaft and engageable by 5 said block to rotate said shaft in one direction or another depending on the direction of movement of said block, a main gear rotatably journalled on said shaft, a pinion gear driven by said main gear and engaging the shank of the 10 through the action of said cam-actuated shaft 20 upon one or the other of said yoke members, and means carried by said camactuated shaft and disposed between the free extremities of said yoke members for shifting one or the other of the latter against the restraining force of said coil spring depending upon the direction of oscillation of said shaft.

FREDERICK SCHMID. 

